Will inventory increase this year?

We know many buyers have been looking for a home to purchase right now and are having trouble finding one. At a time when inventory is so low, it’s normal to wonder if you’ll actually find a house to buy. This has left everyone asking, will inventory increase this year?

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), inventory of available homes for sale is at an all-time low – the lowest point recorded since NAR began tracking this metric in 1982. The good news is that the NAR is predicting an increase in home inventory as the year goes on.

So what will change? Let’s break down the possible places more homes will likely come from as 2021 continues on.

Homeowners Who Didn’t Sell Last Year

In 2020, many sellers decided to pause their moving plans for a number of different reasons. From health concerns about the pandemic to financial uncertainty, plenty of homeowners decided not to move last year.

Now that vaccines are being distributed and there’s a light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, it should bring some peace of mind to many potential sellers. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, notes:

“Fortunately for would-be homebuyers, we expect sellers to return to the market as we see improvement in the economy and progress against the coronavirus.”

Many of the homeowners who decided not to sell in 2020 will enter the market later this year as they begin to feel more comfortable letting strangers tour their home in person. They will also have a better understanding of their financial situation, and simply have more security in life.

More New Homes Will Be Built

Last year was a strong year for home builders, and according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 2021 is shaping up to be even better:

“For 2021, NAHB expects ongoing growth for single-family construction. It will be the first year for which total single-family construction will exceed 1 million starts since the Great Recession.”

With more houses being built all around us, homeowners are looking at new construction. New construction can potentially allow buyers the option to customize the home to meet their changing needs. Once they have successfully purchased their dream home, these buyers will become sellers of their current property. This will set a simple chain reaction in motion for hopeful buyers.

Those Impacted Financially by the Economic Crisis

Many experts don’t anticipate a large wave of foreclosures coming to the market. Forbearance options have been afforded to current homeowners throughout the pandemic. Some homeowners who have been impacted economically will need to move this year. There are also homeowners who didn’t take advantage of the forbearance option or were already in a foreclosure situation before the pandemic began. As home prices continue to rise, so does home equity. Homeowners may be able to sell their houses instead of going into the foreclosure process. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, explains:

“Given the huge price gains recently, I don’t think many homes will have to go to foreclosure…I think homes will just be sold, and there will be cash left over for the seller, even in a distressed situation. So that’s a bit of a silver lining in that we don’t expect a massive sale of distressed properties.”

Bottom Line

So, will inventory increase this year? As we can see, it looks like we’re going to have an increase in the number of homes for sale in 2021. With fears of the pandemic starting to ease, new homes being built, and more listings coming to the market prior to foreclosure, there’s hope if you’re planning to buy this year! And if you’re thinking of selling and making a move, doing so while demand for your house is high might create an outstanding move-up option for you.

Housing demand is high and supply is low, so if you’re thinking of moving, it’s a great time to do so. There are likely many buyers who are looking for a home just like yours, and there are options coming for you to find a new house too. Contact Arrive Real Estate Group to discover how we can help you accomplish your real estate dreams!